Touka is your name, right?" Samaira asked, her bright eyes practically sparkling with energy.
"Ah… yes," Touka replied, nodding.
Samaira leaned in, grinning. "So, Touka, why did you join the military?"
Touka hesitated for a moment before giving a casual shrug. "Ahh, what can I say? I joined for the money."
She barely finished her sentence before thinking, She's already getting on my nerves…
"Ohh, that's great! I did it for the same reason! Hehehe!" Samaira laughed, practically bouncing with excitement. "But now, I also want to become stronger! And since we're partners, we'll train extra hard together! I'll make sure we both become the strongest recruits—with full energy!"
Touka forced a tight smile, barely hiding her exhaustion. "Sure…" she muttered.
Meanwhile, Jack and Duke entered the fortress, their eyes widening as they took in the towering statues and intricate banners lining the halls.
"Wow… statues everywhere," Jack murmured, looking around in awe.
Duke, on the other hand, was more focused. "Where's our room?" he asked, scanning the area.
After searching for a while, they finally found their assigned quarters. The room was simple but sturdy, with two wooden beds, a small desk, and a chest for their belongings. Without wasting time, they placed their luggage down and set their gear aside.
Duke stretched and let out a sigh. "Let's rest a bit. We need to save our energy for training."
Jack flopped onto his bed. "Yeah, you're ri—wait, training is in thirty minutes, idiot! We don't have time to rest!"
Duke blinked before scoffing. "Tch, fine. Let's just sit for a minute. No need to waste energy running around before we even start."
Jack sighed but nodded. "Yeah, yeah… but we better not slack off. There are a lot of strong people here. If we want to keep up, we have to go all out."
Duke smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Then let's make sure we don't fall behind."
As they sat for a brief moment, the reality of what was coming sank in. In just a short while, training would begin—and there was no telling what kind of tests awaited them.
After a few minutes, all the recruits gathered in the training ground. The area was vast, with hardened dirt beneath their feet and towering stone walls surrounding them. In the center, several large stones were arranged in three categories—small, medium, and massive—each one varying in weight and size.
Arthur stood before them, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "Now, we begin your first test," he announced, his voice carrying authority.
He gestured toward the stones. "Each of you will choose a stone based on your strength and carry it up the mountain."
The recruits turned their heads, spotting the mountain in the distance. It loomed behind the fortress, its rocky path steep and treacherous—an ideal place for endurance training.
Arthur continued, "When you choose your stone, give your name and state your selection. Your final score will be determined by two factors—the weight of your stone and how fast you reach the top."
Murmurs spread through the crowd as the recruits examined the stones. Some eyed the largest ones with determination, while others hesitated, knowing the challenge ahead wouldn't be easy.
Arthur smirked. "Remember, this isn't just a test of strength—it's a test of willpower."
The air grew tense. The challenge had been set. Now, it was time to see who would rise to the occasion.
Arthur's gaze hardened as he looked over the recruits. "Only the top 100 students will be selected. Keep that in mind," he said, his voice firm.
A ripple of tension spread through the crowd. Some recruits swallowed nervously, while others clenched their fists, determination flaring in their eyes. The competition had just gotten even more intense.
"Now," Arthur continued, "pick your stone and prove you deserve a spot."
The weight of his words settled over them. This wasn't just a test—it was a battle to secure their place in the fortress.
Duke smirked, stretching his arms. "Hey, I'm going for the biggest stone. What about you, Jack?"
Jack swallowed hard but forced a grin. "O-Of course, the biggest one! No way I'm backing down!"
Duke's smirk widened. "Well then, let's see who reaches the top first."
Jack's confidence wavered for a second, but he clenched his fists. "I-I'm gonna win!"
The recruits lined up to register their names and stone sizes. As expected, warriors like Kairoz and Varian chose the massive stones without hesitation. Jack and Duke followed suit, stepping forward without a second thought.
Meanwhile, in another part of the line, Touka and Samaira waited for their turn. Touka eyed the stones, calculating. If I pick a medium-sized one and finish at an average time, I'll pass without drawing attention.
"The names Samaira and Touka! Write them down for the biggest stone!" Samaira declared loudly.
Touka's eyes widened in horror. "What?! Are you crazy?!"
The soldier handling the list raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? There are other sizes."
Samaira grinned. "Damn sure! Write it down."
Touka panicked. "No, cut my name! Medium—I'll take the medium stone!"
Samaira grabbed her shoulders and grinned. "Hey, we have to become stronger! Don't be scared of challenges!"
The soldier sighed. "Alright, both of you will get the massive stone."
Touka felt her soul leave her body. *This idiot…*
"Stop being so depressed!" Samaira nudged her playfully. "I'm strong, and if you can't do it, I'll—"
"Helping is not allowed," the soldier interrupted from behind them.
Samaira blinked. "Oh… sorry, Touka. Looks like you're on your own!"
Touka clenched her fists. Damn it.
"Congratulations," the soldier added with a smirk. "You two are the only girls who picked the biggest stone."
Touka shot him a death glare.
Samaira beamed. "See? We're awesome!"
Touka sighed, resisting the urge to throw Samaira off the mountain.
Kairoz stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he prepared for the test. Beside him, Darius did the same, his expression calm and focused.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the training ground, Varian grinned, leaning toward another recruit. "Hey, Nox! Let's see who gets to the top first, hehehe!" he said, his tone playful but challenging.
Kairoz didn't react. He simply continued his warm-up, completely ignoring Varian's words.
Varian frowned. "Oi… are you ignoring me?" He stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Or are you scared of me?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Kairoz let out a slow breath and finally looked at Varian.
"I don't waste energy on pointless barking," he said flatly.
Varian's eye twitched. "Hah?! What did you just say?!"
Kairoz smirked slightly, then turned back to his stretching, dismissing Varian without another word.
Darius chuckled beside him. "You really know how to get under people's skin, huh?"
Kairoz shrugged. "If he wants to waste his energy talking, let him. I'll save mine for the climb."
Varian gritted his teeth, clearly irritated. "Tch… we'll see who's barking when I reach the top before you."
Kairoz didn't even glance at him. "If you say so."
Darius shook his head, amused. *This test is going to be interesting.
Cladwill stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the recruits. "Now that you've all selected your stones, it's time to begin the test," he announced. "Your goal is simple—reach the top of the mountain. It may take more than an hour, so be prepared."
The recruits stood in formation, each in front of their chosen stone. Those who had picked the massive stones were positioned at the front, followed by the medium stone carriers, and lastly, the small stone carriers at the back.
Cladwill's voice hardened. "Remember this—you must reach the top. If you fail to do so, you won't receive any marks. There are no second chances."
A tense silence filled the air. Some recruits clenched their fists, determination flickering in their eyes. Others gulped, realizing just how grueling this test was going to be.
Cladwill crossed his arms. "Now, get ready. The real challenge starts now."
Kairoz tightened the white band on his forehead, his expression calm yet focused.
Darius smirked beside him. "Hey, Kai, I'm not gonna lose to you."
Kairoz let out a small sigh, adjusting his stance. "This is just simple training for me. If people want to turn it into a competition, they can. I don't really care."
"Oh yeah?" Darius nudged him with a grin. "I think Varian is right—you're scared."
Kairoz's sharp eyes turned to him, his gaze unwavering. "So, you wanna test me?"
Darius chuckled. "Now this is getting interesting."
A few steps away, Duke stretched his arms with a smirk ."Well, I do this every day," Duke chimed in with a confident smirk.
"Till I beat you," Jack added quickly.
Duke scoffed. "Where is this confidence even coming from?"
Meanwhile, Samaira stood next to her massive stone, her hands on her hips as she inspected it up close.
"Looking at it from here… this thing is pretty big," she muttered. She turned to Touka with a sheepish smile. "Maybe we should have picked the medium one."
Touka's eye twitched. "I told you!" she snapped, her voice laced with frustration.
I swear… I'm going to kill her,Touka thought, clenching her fists.
Samaira patted Touka on the shoulder, grinning. "Chill, we'll figure it out together!"
Before Touka could respond, a recruit behind them chuckled. "Hey, ladies, isn't that stone a bit too big for ya? Hahaha!"
Another recruit smirked. "Yeah, shouldn't you two be in the kitchen washing dishes instead?"
Touka slowly turned her head, her eyes locking onto the second recruiter with a piercing death glare. The moment their eyes met, a shiver ran down his spine.
I-Is she a witch? Look at her eyes…" he muttered, suddenly regretting his words.
Touka's lips curled into a forced, almost sinister smile. "Oh? You're right. We were supposed to be in the kitchen… scrubbing dishes… right?"
The recruiter gulped. I messed up…
Samaira didn't hesitate—her fist slammed straight into the recruiter's face, sending him stumbling back.
"Look at you," she scoffed, shaking her hand. "You don't even have the balls to pick a bigger stone, and yet you think you can crack women jokes on us?"
Touka blinked in surprise. *First time I actually like her… she thought.
The recruiter wiped his mouth, his face twisting with anger. "You bitch—" He raised his hand, ready to strike.
Before he could land a hit, a soldier swiftly stepped in, blocking his arm with ease. "Hey," the soldier's voice was firm. "You can't do this here."
The recruiter clenched his jaw but slowly lowered his hand, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Samaira smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Tch. Thought so."
Before any more tension could rise, a soldier's voice cut through the air.
"Enough of that! Everyone, get ready!" His sharp gaze swept over the recruits. "The test begins now!"
"Ready... Go!"
In an instant, the recruits sprang into action, gripping their stones and surging toward the mountain. The weight pressed down on them, but determination burned in their eyes—this was the moment to prove themselves.